SCRIPTURE: DEUTERONOMY 16
BIBLE VERSES:
“Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.” (Deuteronomy 16:17)
“Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Deuteronomy 16:18-20)
PASSOVER (vs. 1-8)Preview Changes (opens in a new tab)
The month of Abib is the month God brought the Israelites out of Egypt so they had to celebrate the Passover with these instructions:
- Sacrifice an animal from you flock or herd at the place the Lord will choose as a dwelling for his Name. (v. 2)
- Eat bread without yeast for 7 days (v. 3)
- Do not let any of the meat you sacrifice on the evening of the first day remain until morning. (v. 4)
- Sacrifice the Passover at the place God chose and in the evening. (v. 5-6)
- Roast it and eat it at the place the Lord God chose. (v. 7)
- For 6 days eat unleavened bread and on the seventh day, hold an assembly to the Lord and do no work. (v. 8)
FEAST OF WEEKS (vs. 9-12)
Celebrate the Feast of the Weeks to the Lord by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the Lord your God ahs given at the place God will choose as His dwelling place for His name.
FEAST OF TABERNACLES (vs. 13-17)
After gathering the produce of their threshing floor, celebrate the Feast of Taberncle for 7 days at the lace the Lord choose. God will bless you in all the work of your hand and your joy will be complete.
All men must appear three times a year at the place God choose at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Week and Feasts of Taberncalces. No man should appear before the Lord empty handed. Each must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord yuour God has blessed you.
JUDGES (vs. 18-20)
East tribe must appoint judges and officials to judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe. Follow justice so that you may live and possess the land the Lord is giving you”.
WORSHIPING OTHER GODS (vs. 21)
Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole beside the altar of the Lord and do not erect a sacred stone.
THOUGHTS:
Among the seven feasts of the Jewish calendar, Moses selected three with a message:
- Passover – reminds us that we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God.
- Pentecost – speaks of the renewal and coming of the Spirit of God to His people.
- Tabernacles – as the Jews had lived in booth as a pilgrim people in the wilderness, we are also pilgrims of this world. Tabernacle reminds us of the future kingdom that God had provided us when we end our journey in this world.
The participant of the festivals was encouraged to give what he could in proportion to what God has given him. Hav eyou given to God in proportion to what you have received from Him?
The Israelites were mandated to choose just leaders to lead the tribes. Failure to appoint wise and just judges will cause rebellion and injustice in the community. Therefore, we should choose leaders who are God-fearing and who can upheld justice.